The most amazing thing happened since realizing the true point of my book. It released all of my creative energy. Released as in, liberated. Released as in, from a trap or a dark hole or those unreachable recesses of my lumpy, twisted brain.
As in...
...I'm painting.
And I'm not painting crap.
No, really, I'm not. I'm painting abstract and flowers as I gain confidence and technique. I don't have much technique, actually, but I've gleaned enough from Norene's workshops to create some decent paintings. Finally, I understand under-AND over-painting, although I haven't yet tried the over-painting, which is why I work on three or four canvasses at once; that allows me to try different things, slowly, while working on the big canvas, very slowly (so afraid to screw up!), which will be a sunflower.
What's most amazing, and this I attribute to the release of true, pure creative energy, is that I seem to know what I'm doing and nothing is frustrating me. If I could figure out what this is, and bottle it, I'd be a millionaire. All I know is that I love it and will tap into it as often as I can to keep it flowing.
The paint space isn't in my office, either; it's in the new garage. When the urge to paint came over me a few weekends ago, after finishing my latest reading and editing of my manuscript, I just felt the need for space. Outside was too windy so I set up one of the long tables we use for yard sales and parties, and voila! Large, bright studio with a radio for good music to paint by.
This also means I can do it whenever I want, even for half an hour. I'm one of those LUCKY people who have their own personal chefs. Mum and Dwayne make supper while I paint in the garage. If I ever create a company, the word "lucky" is going to have to be in the title (fortunate being too long, blessed sounding too religious).  
I'm photographing each stage of each canvas but not ready to share those yet. Well, maybe just this one, because it's little.